Question about Romanian psl
- Thread starter Ts_1911
- Start date
- Replies 6
- Views 828
Wikipedia describes the PSL-54C as the sporting version intended for commercial export. Like the AKM, it seems you can infer that the PSL-54M is the military version?
A sporting version of the PSL, intended for export, is offered as the PSL-54C, Romak III, FPK, FPK Dragunov or SSG-97. This weapon is identical in almost every respect to the original military version of the PSL except for modifications to comply with the U.S. import laws regarding sporting rifles. These modifications include removal of the bayonet lug as well as the replacement of the original military receiver, which has three trigger mechanism axis pin holes instead of two. The third hole is for a safety sear that is thought to allow the rifle to be capable of being converted to "full-auto" by the end-user. US import versions are manufactured with a BATFE approved semi-auto Romanian receiver. The so-called "third hole" is not present, thus the trigger mechanism is simplified and omits the "full auto" safety sear. The military spec FPK is not capable of fully automatic fire however it includes this safety sear to ensure the rifle's hammer cannot be released before the bolt is fully forward and locked in place in the forward trunnion. Because of this fact, and the lack of a spring-loaded firing pin, there is some theoretical potential that the US legal PSL could fire out of battery (before the bolt is fully locked). The US commercial-spec rifles also sometimes omit the bolt hold-open mechanism that is on the true military spec rifles.
All sporting versions of the PSL are constructed using original Romanian parts and assembled either in Romania or in the United States, some using American made receivers. Examples of the commercial sporting version were also available (on a very limited production run) in the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge as opposed to the 7.62×54mmR mm these rifles are typically chambered for. A PSL with a 16" barrel was also marketed as the FPK Paratrooper, but no such rifle exists within the Romanian military, being purely a US made variant. These rifles were primarily imported by Century Arms International, InterOrdnance, and Tennessee Gun Importers (TG Knox).
A sporting version of the PSL, intended for export, is offered as the PSL-54C, Romak III, FPK, FPK Dragunov or SSG-97. This weapon is identical in almost every respect to the original military version of the PSL except for modifications to comply with the U.S. import laws regarding sporting rifles. These modifications include removal of the bayonet lug as well as the replacement of the original military receiver, which has three trigger mechanism axis pin holes instead of two. The third hole is for a safety sear that is thought to allow the rifle to be capable of being converted to "full-auto" by the end-user. US import versions are manufactured with a BATFE approved semi-auto Romanian receiver. The so-called "third hole" is not present, thus the trigger mechanism is simplified and omits the "full auto" safety sear. The military spec FPK is not capable of fully automatic fire however it includes this safety sear to ensure the rifle's hammer cannot be released before the bolt is fully forward and locked in place in the forward trunnion. Because of this fact, and the lack of a spring-loaded firing pin, there is some theoretical potential that the US legal PSL could fire out of battery (before the bolt is fully locked). The US commercial-spec rifles also sometimes omit the bolt hold-open mechanism that is on the true military spec rifles.
All sporting versions of the PSL are constructed using original Romanian parts and assembled either in Romania or in the United States, some using American made receivers. Examples of the commercial sporting version were also available (on a very limited production run) in the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge as opposed to the 7.62×54mmR mm these rifles are typically chambered for. A PSL with a 16" barrel was also marketed as the FPK Paratrooper, but no such rifle exists within the Romanian military, being purely a US made variant. These rifles were primarily imported by Century Arms International, InterOrdnance, and Tennessee Gun Importers (TG Knox).
Last edited:
That is what I was thinking too, that it a military version. Don't know how it makes it different from the commercial version. Not much info about it on the internet and all the pictures are of the PSL-54C. Just trying to understand my rifle better.
IUHoosier429
Bull(et) City
Charter Member
Benefactor
Life Member
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Does yours have a production year stamped on the barrel? And I'm guessing no bayonet lug? I've not seen any "M" designation used with PSLs until this new batch of reproductions were imported beginning in 2019 from Century. The front handguards of these new "M" rifles looks a lot like the hardwood used on Century's newer reissues of the WASR series and the AES-10B, which is far less robust than the old school commie laminate wood.
I'd hesitate to say "M" means milspec, instead leaning more towards a model number or something else coincidental. Not that commercial exports have never found their way onto the battlefield, but older commercial "C" imports featured the bayonet lug with the fins shaved off. The M doesn't even have the lug. Legit military versions featured the lug, as seen here:
Not to poo poo your rifle, OP. It's surely a rock solid shooter and that Russian NPZ scope is quite nice. I just personally don't think "M" points to anything significant.
I'd hesitate to say "M" means milspec, instead leaning more towards a model number or something else coincidental. Not that commercial exports have never found their way onto the battlefield, but older commercial "C" imports featured the bayonet lug with the fins shaved off. The M doesn't even have the lug. Legit military versions featured the lug, as seen here:
Not to poo poo your rifle, OP. It's surely a rock solid shooter and that Russian NPZ scope is quite nice. I just personally don't think "M" points to anything significant.
I haven't really kept up with the PSLs but I think the M models are just 100% commercial models, they're not made with any parts from parts kits or old stocks of communist parts from the warehouses. They're new manufactured parts only and built for the commercial market here in the US and in other countries that don't allow them to be imported in with military features like the bayonet lug, flash hider, or restrict the resell of former military weapons.